Handmade Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List!
There is something incredibly special about giving and receiving handmade gifts. They are so endearing, specifically created with a loved one in mind and customized with added personal touches. Whether its a beautiful piece of wall art, a snuggly quilt or pillow, charming cloth napkins, zipper pouches, a custom-designed lanyard or key fob (and more!), handmade gifts offer that extra special touch and resonate deeply with everyone who receives one!
We're sharing a few of our favorite handmade gift ideas below along with gift pairing suggestions and the skill level, time and supplies needed per project. So gather your supplies, unleash your creativity, and dive into creating gifts your loved ones will cherish!
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Pictured Above: Knitted Star Wall Hanging. See below for more design options.
QUILTED WALL ART
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
We love how quilted wall hangings tell a story through a blend of traditional quilting techniques and modern design aesthetic; they make a beautiful statement piece in any room and are easy to customize by choosing colors and/or prints that coordinate with the recipients decor. With 9 different designs to choose from you may have a hard time deciding which one to make!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Intermediate; varies by pattern
- Time Needed: an afternoon - weekend
- Uses: as a statement piece in any room
- Pair Gift With: a book, plant, art supplies, matching coasters (Christmas Joy).
- Wall Hanging patterns: Knitted Star, Retro Blossoms, Shades of Citrus, Retro Ornaments, Model Farm, Snow Cabin, Mountain Horizon, Christmas Joy, Southwest Diamonds
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CLOTH NAPKINS with MITERED CORNERS
Jennifer of Penelope Handmade shares "If you've been to my home for a meal, a cup of tea, or needed something to wipe up with, you know I love cloth napkins.... both the practicality and charm of them."
We have a feeling you are going to love them too!
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Needed: 60-90 minutes for a set of 4
- Uses: eco-friendly alternative to paper napkins that add personality and style to any table setting.
- Fabric Needed: 1.25 yds for a set of 4; woven or cotton recommended.
- Pair Gift With: blank recipe cards (for a extra personal touch add in a few of of your families favorites), napkin rings to compliment the napkins, tapered candles/candle holders, a cookbook.
- Click for Free Tutorial
- Napkin Kits available here
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CHRISTMAS JOY ORNAMENT & COASTER
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
Creating a handmade ornament is a delightful way to add a personal touch to holiday decor that becomes an instant treasured keepsake.
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: 2 - 3 hours
- Uses: holiday decor, tree ornament, coaster, gift tag. Inscribe the year made on the back for an extra special touch.
- Fabric Needed: F8 each for the background, foreground, backing, binding
- Pair Gift With: coffee or tea, mugs, snacks or chocolates, a coffee shop gift card, candles
- Click for Free Tutorial
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Pictured above: Upscale Plaid Coaster. See below for more design options.
COASTERS
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
Creating handmade coasters is such a fun way to add to home decor that is completely customizable. Not only do they protect surfaces from heat and moisture, but what we love even more is that they serve as unique, little pieces of art!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Intermediate; varies by pattern
- Time Needed: 1 - 3 hours; varies by project
- Uses: coaster, table decor, hot plate, gift tag, party favors
- Pair Gift With: coffee or tea, mugs, snacks or chocolates, a coffee shop gift card, candles
- Free Coaster Tutorials: Christmas Joy, Mini Heart, Mini Pumpkin, Scrappy Coaster
- Pattern that includes Coasters: Upscale Plaid
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PILLOWCASE with FRENCH SEAMS
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
One of the things we love most about making these pillowcases is customizing each one to reflect the recipient's personal style! Make one or make a few, these make great gifts to celebrate the holidays and for everyday use year round.
Check out this collection of beautifully curated pillowcase kits in the shop!
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
- Uses: Pillowcases are surprisingly versatile! Besides covering pillows, you can use them to store quilts, as a travel bag, to wrap a gift, or as a laundry bag. They also make for a fun add to family movie night!
- Pair Gift With: sleeping mask, bedtime books, essential oils, cozy slippers.
- Fabric Needed: 11" x WOF; 2" x WOF; and 27" x WOF for a standard pillowcase
- Click for Free Tutorial
- Pillowcase Kits available here
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HANDMADE MENDING KIT
We all have mending emergencies from time to time, so what better way to be prepared for them than having a mending kit available. These adorable little kits perfectly fit needles, pins, thread, little scissors, and even a few patches to fix those pesky holes. This kit is small enough to fit in a purse or the glove box.
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: 1 - 3 hours
- Uses: helpful kit to have on hand so you can fix any mending issues on the go.
- Pair Gift With: pin cushion, personalized fabric labels, thimble, quilting/sewing patterns, fat quarter bundle.
- Click for Free Tutorial
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Fabric Gift Bags
by Quilt Social
We love this fun and festive way to wrap a gift and even better that the "wrapping" can then be repurposed and used again and again!
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Needed: 30 - 60 minutes
- Uses: gift wrapping, travel organizer, snack bag, toys and treasures sack, pet toy carrier.
- Pair Gift With: travel accesories, craft supplies, smaller toy sets, tea or coffee, favorite trinket items, make-up, pet treats.
- Fabric Needed: varies by size
- Click for Free Tutorial
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TISSUE BOX COVER
by GE Designs
Quick and easy, this quilt as you go Tissue Box Cover fits a standard size tissue box and adds a bit of flair to any room. Winter sniffles just got a glam up!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: 2 - 3 hours
- Uses: This gift idea is all about making a tissue box look pretty in any room.
- Pair Gift With: scented candles, bath bombs, a framed inspirational quote, lotion.
- Click for Free Tutorial
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Quilted Pot Holder
by Cotton and Joy for Janome
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Needed: 1.5 - 3 hours
- Uses: in addition to handling anything hot (or cold!) these can also be used as a trivet.
- Pair Gift With: a cookbook, bamboo cooking utensils, gourmet spices or oils, baking mixes, dish towels, baking mats.
- Fabric Needed: (2) Fat Quarters, batting, Insul-Brite, 1 yard of 1/2" double-fold biase tape per set of 2 pot holders.
- Click for Free Tutorial
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ROPE BOWLS & BASKETS
What could be more fun than sewing up some of these adorable trinket trays, bowls or baskets? They come in various sizes and shapes that can be customized as you wish!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: varies by project
- Uses: a place for keys, to hold phones, remote controls, pocket treasures, desk organization, jewelry.
- Pair Gift With: small plant, gourmet snacks, candies, stationery, small spools of thread in multiple colors.
- Click for a Tutorial
- Bowl & Basket Kits
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Zipper Pouch
by Suzy Quilts
We love the ability to size these zipper pouches up or down to create just the right size and the ability to customize them with various prints and substrates. Wouldn't a set of nesting pouches be adorable?
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Time Needed: 30 - 90 minutes per zipper pouch
- Uses: makeup bag, suitcase organizers, snack bag, small electronics case, first aid kit, coin purse, toiletries, craft supplies, crayons/markers, kids collectibles.
- Pair Gift With: travel essentials, makeup, pens/sticky notes/note pad, snacks, gift cards, books/journals, Legos, hand lotion/lip balm/bath bombs.
- Fabric Needed: different fabrics for the outer and inner pieces (varies by size), zipper (length of zipper will be similar to the length of the pouch)
- Click for Free Tutorial
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: weekend project for both
- Uses: Holiday/winter decor
- Pair Gift With: quilt, table runner/placemats, seasonal mugs, ornament set, fairy lights, holiday baking kit.
- Fabric Needed: varies by project
- Click for Free Tutorial
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KEY FOB
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
A fun and simple project that allows for personal expression and creativity. Not only is this a practical accessory in keeping track of keys/key cards, but its even better when it's made custom to your own style!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: 30 - 60 minutes
- Uses: personalized key holder, luggage tag. Consider making a few for different occasions/holidays.
- Pair Gift With: a gift card to a favorite store, local eatery or coffee shop, mini-flashlight that clips to the key fob, puzzle, travel game.
- Click for Free Tutorial
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LANYARD
by Lo & Behold Stitchery
With just a few materials, make a custom lanyard that reflects the recipients personality. Or as a fun way to accessorize, gift a few of them together!
- Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
- Time Needed: 1 - 2 hours
- Uses: Lanyards make a great customizable gift for anyone who needs to carry a nametag/ID tag or have a passkey readily available. Makes a great teacher gift.
- Supplies Needed: 3" x 36" fabric ; 3/4" x 36" batting; lobster claw swivel clasp
- Pair Gift With: mini notebook or journal, stationary, matching key fob, gift card to a local eatery
- Click for Free Tutorial
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU MAKE!
Be sure to tag us at: #loandbeholdpatterns @loandbeholdstitchery or email us at hello@loandbeholdstitchery.com
Whew! Now that you have your gifts made (if only it were really that easy!), be sure to check back next week when we will be sharing our 3rd annual Stocking Stuffer for Quilters + Quilt Lovers. Its a good one, get ready to start your wish list!
